Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassador Program

The Kevin B. Harrington Student Ambassador Program is a unique opportunity for Saint Anselm College students of any major to support various events and activities held at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP).

Student ambassadors are highly motivated, dedicated individuals who work closely with NHIOP staff on public programming and civic engagement work. They assist in event promotion, welcome guests and VIPs, and serve as greeters and ushers. In addition, the nonpartisan student ambassadors often moderate Q&A panels, facilitate book signings, and lead other post-event activities.

When speakers and candidates visit the NHIOP, student ambassadors often get special behind-the-scenes opportunities to meet the guests. During election cycles, student ambassadors have served as stand-ins on local and national debate sets and assisted media outlets in covering the first-in-the-nation primary.

Pizza and Politics

At Pizza and Politics, students enjoy pizza and civil discussion of diverse topics in an informal setting. The conversation is driven by student interest whether it be centered around hotly contested political issues or the best pizza topping. Sessions are often frequented by special guests who are chosen and invited to the event by ambassadors. National journalists, scholars, and former governors and presidential candidates have all made appearances at Pizza and Politics. Some recent guest speakers include:

Stefany Shaheen
Scott Spradling
Maura Sullivan (D-MA)
Christian Urrutia

Cupcakes and Constitutions

Observed nationally and annually, Saint Anselm celebrates Constitution Day with delicious patriotic cupcakes and pocket-sized copies of the United States Constitution. Deemed “Cupcakes and Constitutions”, this civic engagement event teaches students about the foundational documents that created American democracy while catering to their sweet tooths.

Voter Registration Day

On Voter Registration Day, students meet with local state representatives and clerical workers from Goffstown, N.H. to learn the fundamentals of voter registration and how to make a difference in local and federal elections. Student ambassadors work with representatives to set up a booth on campus where in-state and out-of-state Anselmians can register to vote. Every student who registers gets to leave with free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream— who could resist?

Common Ground Series

The Common Ground Series aims to bridge the divided modern political climate through student-led discussions and casual subject-specific debates. Conversations tend to center around contemporary, relevant, or polarizing politics issues. Recent topics include:

How social media plays a role in the polarization of politics
If banning books violates the First Amendment’s freedom of expression clause
The enforcement or non-enforcement of term limits in Congress
Whether or not United States government should force the sale of TikTok to an American company

Watch Parties

Instead of watching national debates, election night polls, or State of the Union addresses alone, students unite through planned watch parties. Organized by the student ambassadors, these events prioritize togetherness and community, even during fiery debates that depict divisiveness.

Open Houses

Student ambassadors play a huge role in planning for open houses by preparing materials, slideshows, and videos to aid with information delivery. During open houses, they participate in panel discussions and lead tours throughout the NHIOP.

Professional Development Events

Throughout the academic year, student ambassadors host several professional development events focused on building practical career skills. These events help students gain confidence in areas that will benefit them in undergraduate internships and postgraduate settings. Some professional development events include lessons on:

How to dress professionally
Learning to write formal correspondence, thank you letters, emails, etc.
LinkedIn Learning
Social media event coverage

Fairs and Tabling Events

With countless campus-wide events, student ambassadors are primarily responsible for running the NHIOP booth at annual club fairs, Hawk Health Day, Visibility Day, Earth Day, and more. Their presence at events is important and brings new students into the dynamic world of politics.

Stand Up New Hampshire

Planned with the help of the student ambassadors, Stand Up New Hampshire is a series of town halls that give students the opportunity to engage with United States senators and prospective democratic presidential candidates. Students in attendance hear from elected officials, ask hard-hitting questions, and have the chance to meet them afterwards. Recent guests include:

Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Ro Khanna (D-CA)
Chris Murphy (D-CT)

Bookmark Series

The Bookmark Series is a longstanding speaker series featuring authors who visit the NHIOP to discuss their new books. Student ambassadors work with NHIOP staff to aid in the planning and execution of the event. Past guest speakers include:

Charlotte Alter
John Avlon
Michael Bloomberg
John Kasich
Elaine Weiss

Learn more about the Bookmark Series →

Politics and Eggs

For over 30 years, Politics and Eggs has been a critical stopping point for prominent activists, government officials, and presidential hopefuls. Co-hosted by the NHIOP and the New England Council, student ambassadors collaborate with staff to facilitate the event complete with policy speeches, Q&As, and the signing of decorative wooden eggs. Guests who have signed eggs include:

Joe Biden
Chris Christie
Nikki Haley
Kamala Harris
Mitt Romney
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Learn more about Politics and Eggs →

Student Leadership

The NHIOP

At the NHIOP, people from across the political spectrum come together to discuss and debate the issues of the day. It’s a place where ideas are challenged, ideologies compete, and the democratic process is alive and well.

NEW HAMPSHIRE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS

Ambassador Profile:
Amani Clemons ’24

Amani Clemons ’24 came to Saint Anselm due to its status as one of the best political science programs in the nation. She became a student ambassador as a freshman and took advantage of the many opportunities she had as a Politics major.

Learn more about Amani Clemons →